Burma / Myanmar - Anybody been?

[Harrys Again]

I am planning a trip in October - 8 nights split between Yangon and Bagan.

Has anyone been before and any tips?

This is a holiday and a fact finding mission - supposed to be going into business with my Burmese pal from work.

Yup, back in 1999. Went Yangon (Rangoon), Mandalay, Bagan, Lake Inle (Jumping Cat Buddhist Monastery).

Friendly people, beautiful country, absolutely awful Junta at the time hated by their own people. Actually stumbled across the Junta in the Continental Hotel doing a cigarette promotion. Even with the changes, be careful talking politics.

Key points I remember include the story about the people of Mandalay being pressganged into a haphazard 'slave labour' restoration of the Royal Palace there (the restoration is no more than a few prefabricated huts and a concreted moat), the suppression of the Christian Karen people (though this did not directly affect the trip), the half hearted checks for drugs up at Lake Inle (blind eyes, back handers, etc. you can guarantee are order of the day) and the apparent presence of the Chinese behind the scenes. Also, the provision of prostitutes for foreign businessmen (Chinese or Taiwanese) was a tale in itself, with girls being promised jobs from the countryside to become little more that prostitute slaves was quite harrowing.

It was still a good trip, made up for by the masses of pagodas around Bagan, the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon and the breathtaking beauty around Lake Inle.

[chinamackem]

Looking for Spitfires Harry?

[The Exile]

My Grandad went, 1942. Didn't enjoy it by all accounts.

Originally Posted by The Exile

My Grandad went, 1942. Didn't enjoy it by all accounts.

Yup, when the Japanese tourists said they wanted to do some shooting, some plonker gave them guns instead of cameras.

[Harrys Again]

Originally Posted by chinamackem

Looking for Spitfires Harry?

Aye - they are needed to defend Singapore the next time the Japs come through Thailand and Malaysia

Originally Posted by Mackem_Beefy

Yup, back in 1999. Went Yangon (Rangoon), Mandalay, Bagan, Lake Inle (Jumping Cat Buddhist Monastery).

Friendly people, beautiful country, absolutely awful Junta at the time hated by their own people. Actually stumbled across the Junta in the Continental Hotel doing a cigarette promotion. Even with the changes, be careful talking politics.

Key points I remember include the story about the people of Mandalay being pressganged into a haphazard 'slave labour' restoration of the Royal Palace there (the restoration is no more than a few prefabricated huts and a concreted moat), the suppression of the Christian Karen people (though this did not directly affect the trip), the half hearted checks for drugs up at Lake Inle (blind eyes, back handers, etc. you can guarantee are order of the day) and the apparent presence of the Chinese behind the scenes. Also, the provision of prostitutes for foreign businessmen (Chinese or Taiwanese) was a tale in itself, with girls being promised jobs from the countryside to become little more that prostitute slaves was quite harrowing.

It was still a good trip, made up for by the masses of pagodas around Bagan, the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon and the breathtaking beauty around Lake Inle.

Cheers - hoping to do about 3 days in Yangon and 3 in Bagan then go to my friends town about 90 minutes from Bagan to the school he has set up and pays for.

He wants me to speak to the kids and students for an afternoon - they will have to understand my accent first.

[Carino]

me granda went. apparently he wouldn't gan back in a hurry

[Epping]

my missus went with work about 12-13 years ro so ago.. said it was fantastic..

incredibly poverty but the temples were outstanding and the peopkle were so friendly.

got some fantastic pictures fo young monks, buffalo pulling carts etc...

[Hawyatt Earp]

Next holiday destination for us. Can't wait!

[smoker]

Originally Posted by The Exile

My Grandad went, 1942. Didn't enjoy it by all accounts.

Did they take prisoners?